UAE Embassy Commercial Mission to Philadelphia Opens New Chapter in Life Sciences and Health Tech Partnership

WASHINGTON, D.C. (26 August 2026) – In partnership with the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, the UAE Embassy Trade and Investment Office brought a senior delegation to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this week to build on the UAE's $550 million trade relationship with the Keystone State and advance the $1.4 trillion investment framework with the United States. Led by UAE Commercial Attaché Jawaher AlMheiri, the visit focused new investment attention on the state’s life sciences and health technology sector.

The delegation included Embassy Trade and Investment Office Executive Director Karim Gamal, Senior Commercial Specialist Reem Ramadan, President of U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Danny Sebright, DP World VP of Government Relations and Public Affairs Nick Geale and Emirates VP USA Matthew Jones. Pennsylvania state officials accompanying the delegation included Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger, DCED Chief Commercial Officer Aaron Pitts and Governor Shapiro’s Chief Transformation Officer Ben Kirshner.

While in Philadelphia, the delegation toured flagship developments including the Bellwether District and Iovance Biotherapeutics' cell therapy manufacturing facility. They also met with regional industry leaders to identify concrete opportunities for collaboration and capital deployment.

"We have seen real momentum in the UAE-Pennsylvania relationship," said AlMheiri. "With a world-class life sciences ecosystem and pro-business policies, the UAE is an ideal partner for Pennsylvania medical innovators looking to scale globally. We look forward to building on the conversations started today — opening new doors in what is already a high-value collaboration."

Pennsylvania's trade surplus with the UAE reached $400 million in 2025. UAE trade supported approximately 3,200 jobs in Pennsylvania in 2025 and UAE investments supported over 1,500 PA jobs, according to the DCED. The UAE's Pennsylvania footprint spans investments in PCI Pharma Services, Qlik, Covestro and two major DP World logistics facilities.

At the same time, Pennsylvania companies and institutions are expanding into the UAE. Leading PA firms Qlik and Hershey operate regional offices in Dubai. Penn Medicine is establishing the UAE's first US-style medical school in Dubai, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has deepened its pediatric clinical partnerships across the country.

Beyond Pennsylvania, the UAE is one of the US’s fastest-growing economic partners. Bilateral trade reached record levels last year, totaling $39 billion. The US trade surplus with the UAE, nearly $24 billion, is the fourth largest globally.

The UAE Embassy Trade and Investment Office visit to Philadelphia is part of its mission to deepen economic partnerships and explore investment opportunities across all 50 American states.

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